UPDATED: Search escalates for missing school teacher

The search continues for a school teacher believed to have been kayaking on Wednesday, July 18 in Mabel Lake near Lumby.

John Keeley, age 58, left his residence at about 1:30 p.m. and was to return by dinner time. When he failed to return, he was reported missing.

“School District 22 was saddened to hear one of our own, Mr. John Keeley, a math teacher at VSS, has been reported missing,” said Superintendent Joe Rogers. “Our thoughts are with the family during this difficult time.”

Hi students are also concerned for their beloved teacher.

“One of my favourites in school,” said Vanessa Robert on Facebook. “Hoping for a good outcome.”

Police attended the Mabel Lake area and located Keeley’s locked vehicle near the 22 km marker of the Mabel Lake forest service road. Keeley’s unoccupied kayak was also located on Mabel Lake.

The Vernon Search and Rescue and RCMP Air Services were called out to assist in the search for John Keeley.

Also a former teacher at Charles Bloom, Keeley is described as Caucasian, 188 cm (6’2) tall, 82 kg (181 lbs.), bald head and hazel eyes. No clothing description of Keeley is available at this time.

Anyone who has any information about John Keeley’s whereabouts is asked to contact the Lumby RCMP Detachment at 250-547-2151.